Austin Kearns has gotten off to a slow start this spring. The problem may be his left-elbow.
photo by Tim Evearitt (file photo)
SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Cincinnati Reds will be without outfielder Austin Kearns for a while after an X-ray of Kearns' swollen left arm revealed loose bodies in his elbow that might require surgery.
An MRI test was scheduled to be administered to Kearns today (Sunday) to determine whether surgery is needed. If surgery is necessary, the procedure will be performed Monday and Kearns would then need seven to 10 days following the operation to recover. Kearns could be back in time to play on Opening Day, said Cincinnati general manager Jim Bowden.
"I think he's going to be fine," Cincinnati manager Bob Boone said. "I think it's going to be a bump (in his preparations), it's something I think they can fix pretty easily, I think he should be on time to start the season."
Kearns hit .315 with 13 homers and 56 RBIs in 107 games for the Reds last season. Cincinnati's first-round pick (seventh overall) in 1998 is expected to be the club's regular right fielder in 2003.
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The 22-year-old is hitting .133 (2-for-15) this spring. He had been bothered by soreness in his elbow earlier this spring, but was unconcerned since he'd experienced similar aches earlier in his career. Kearns was held out of two consecutive games earlier in the week, but played Thursday and Friday and was originally penciled into the lineup Saturday. He was scratched after team medical personnel examined his elbow.
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Ruben Mateo replaced Kearns in the lineup for Saturday night's game against Boston at Ed Smith Stadium.
Kearns finished third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting last season and was selected to the TOPPS All-Rookie team.
Colorado left-hander Denny Neagle and Minnesota right-hander Joe Mays underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from their pitching elbows during the winter and both pitchers are in camp this spring.
Kearns throws and bats right-handed, however, and the injury is in his left elbow.
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Adapted from article on the MLB.com web site.